Telescoping connector and telescoping umbrella

ABSTRACT

A telescoping connector and telescoping umbrella having the connector which employs an axial securing mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of Invention

The present invention relates to telescoping connections. More particularly, the invention relates to a connector for telescoping components for use in a telescoping umbrella.

Prior Art

Conventional telescopic umbrellas are generally made up of multiple telescopic tubes guided into one another. In the case of hand held type telescoping umbrellas, this enables the umbrella to be folded into a compact form for convenient handling and storage.

When collapsed these typically are about a foot or so in length and when extended to a certain length by extracting tubes in sequence give a length of about 3 feet. To prevent tubes from falling apart, there is commonly some sort of locking or securing mechanism.

A variety of such telescoping hand held umbrellas exist but their common shortcoming is their structural stability and use in applications for persons of significant height difference. For example, a typical umbrella length is about 3 feet in length. For most people this is an adequate length for conventional usage. However, there are a number of applications when this length is insufficient and the current telescoping members and connecting means are insufficient for addressing these situations.

Although many improvements have been made in the field of telescoping members particularly for hand held umbrellas, they fail due to either complex structures or difficulty-to-assemble and have had no significant effect in firmly securing one tube to another when employing longer length applications. There is a need for securing means that have a simple structure and can provide increased stability of the connected tubular members.

In view of that, the primary object of the invention is to provide an improved connector for telescopic members, which can provide the foregoing functions without the problems occurred in prior art, particularly in the field of telescopic umbrellas. The structure, features, and advantages of the invention can be best understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A general object is to improve connection of a telescoping members.

Another object is to provide a telescoping umbrella with a unique connector.

Accordingly, one embodiment is directed to a telescoping connector, particularly for hand held umbrellas. The telescoping connector is for two telescoping members to be axially movable and fixable with respect to one another. On a first telescoping member, there is provided a first connector part fixed to a first end of the first telescoping member. A second connector part connected to the first connector part extends out from the first end over an area to receive a second telescoping member in a manner to permit the second telescoping member to move in an axially connective manner with respect to first telescoping member and includes a securing member which actuates to engage the second telescoping member and fix axial position of the second telescoping member relative to the second connector part. In a preferred embodiment, the second connector part includes a clamping member.

In another aspect of the invention, the telescoping connector is provided on an umbrella having the above described telescoping members, wherein the first telescoping member has a slidable runner which releasably fixably connects to the first connector part. The runner is operably connected to a plurality of stretchers, which in turn connect to a plurality of ribs which connect to a second end of the first telescoping member and support a canopy material thus forming the umbrella. The first connector part is configured with a releasable catch for retaining the runner and closing the canopy and upon release the stretchers and ribs are biased to expand outward from the first telescoping member moving the umbrella to an open position as is understood in the art. The second telescoping member has a distal end having a handle separate from the second connector.

The above and other objects and advantages of this invention will become more readily apparent when the following description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view showing an embodiment of the connector of the invention in an assembled state.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the connector of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of invention.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the invention in a mode of use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, a telescoping connector is generally referred to by the numeral 10. In a preferred embodiment, the telescoping connector 10 is provided on a hand held umbrella 12.

The telescoping connector 10 is for two telescoping members 14 and 16 which are axially movable and fixable with respect to one another. Here, telescoping member 14 is shown cylindrical to receive telescoping member 16 of a smaller cylindrical diameter.

On a first telescoping member 14, there is provided a first connector part 18 which can preferably be fixed to a first end 20 of the first telescoping member 14 at a first end 22 of connector 18 by means of mechanical or adhesive means.

A second connector part 24 connected to the first connector part 18. Here there is shown a first end 26 of connector part 24 fixably connected to the first end 22 again by mechanical or adhesive means. It is contemplated that the ends 22 and 26 can be integrally connected wherein part 18 and part 24 are integrally connected.

A generally C-shaped second end 28 of part 24 extends out from the first end 26/22 over an area 30 and to receive the second telescoping member 16 in a manner to permit the second telescoping member 16 to move in an axially connective manner with respect to first telescoping member 14. A securing member 32, which can be a threaded member such as a screw with a knob, moves through a threaded orifice 34 in outwardly extending flanges 35, for example, to engage the second telescoping member 16 and fix axial position of the second telescoping member relative to the second connector part 24, and also the first telescoping member 14 as will be understood. Note, inner diameter of C-shaped second end 28 can preferably be formed with a relatively close tolerance slight larger than diameter of telescoping member 16 such that minimal actuation of securing member 32 is required to engage and secure the two together in a fixed relative position. The second connector part 24 can be characterized to include a clamping member.

In another aspect of the invention, the telescoping connector 10 is provided on umbrella 12 having the above described telescoping members 14 and 16, wherein the first telescoping member 14 has a slidable runner 40 which releasably fixably connects to the first connector part 18. In this regard, the first connector part 18 has a second end 23 which includes an open inner surface 25 radially spaced from telescoping members 14, 16 received therethrough to receive a ferrule 42 of the runner 40 therein. The ferrule 42 can include a recessed surface 44, an external guide track surface 46 and a collar 48 to limit axial travel. Inner surface 25 is formed with a complementary recessed track surface 27 for the track surface 46 to aid in the second end 23 receiving the ferrule 42 and in so doing is configured with a releasable biased push pin 29 which aligns with recessed surface 44 to lock the runner 40 to the connector part 18.

The runner 40 is operably connected to a plurality of stretchers 50, which in turn connect to a plurality of ribs 52 which connect to a second end 21 of the first telescoping member 14 and support a canopy material 54 (which can be made of a water and sun proof material) thus forming the umbrella 12. The first connector part 18 is thus configured with a releasable catch 29 for retaining the runner 40 and closing the canopy 54 and upon release the stretchers 50 and ribs 52 are biased to expand outward from the first telescoping member 14 moving the umbrella 12 to an open position as is understood in the art. The second telescoping member 16 has a distal end 17 having a handle 19 separate from the second connector.

In summary, the invention provides an easy to use and selectable fixable handle length for a hand held telescoping umbrella which provides a sufficient strength and rigidity to meet the goals of larger type hand held umbrellas, such as golf or larger sized umbrellas. A particularly useful application of the instant invention is applicant's co-pending application U.S. Ser. No. 29/698,256 filed Jul. 16, 2019 which includes the umbrella 12 in combination with a backpack 60 having an umbrella belt 62 with handle holder 63 and shoulder strap 64 with holder 65 for holding telescoping member 14. The telescoping members can be made of fiberglass material with sufficient thickness to provide the necessary strength for such concise means having a compact, easy-to-assemble structure which holds telescoping members in a stable manner. Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to an exemplary embodiment thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and various other changes, omissions, and additions in the form and detail thereof may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A telescoping connector for two telescoping members which are axially movable and fixable with respect to one another for use in an umbrella having a plurality of stretchers, a plurality of ribs operably connected to the stretchers, and a canopy material connected to the ribs, which includes: a first upper telescoping member of a first diameter; a first connector part fixed to a first end of said first upper telescoping member; a runner slidably connected about said first upper telescoping member removably fixably connected to said first connector part and for connection to the stretchers; a second lower telescoping member of a second diameter for slidable receipt within at least part of said first upper telescoping member; a second connector part connected to said first connector part and extending out from said first end of said first upper telescoping member and over an area to receive about said second lower telescoping member in a manner to permit said second lower telescoping member to move in an axially connective manner with respect to said first upper telescoping member and includes a securing member which actuates to releasably engage and fix axial position of said second lower telescoping member relative to the second connector part.
 2. The telescoping connector of claim 1, wherein said second connector part includes a clamping member.
 3. The telescoping connector of claim 2, wherein said clamping member includes a generally C-shape with a pair of outwardly extending lateral flanges having co-axially aligned holes to receive a threaded bolt, and a nut connected to the bolt.
 4. A hand held telescoping umbrella, which includes: a first upper telescoping member of a first diameter; a second lower telescoping member of a second diameter smaller than said first diameter which is axially movable and fixable with respect to said first telescoping member; a runner slidably connected about said first upper telescoping member; a first connector part fixed to a first lower end of said first upper telescoping member and releasably fixably connects to said runner; a second connector part connected to said first connector part and extending out from said first lower end of said first upper telescoping member and over an area to receive said second lower telescoping member thereby in a manner to permit said second lower telescoping member to move in an axially connective manner with respect to said first upper telescoping member and includes a securing member which actuates to releasably engage and fix axial position of said second lower telescoping member relative to the second connector part; a plurality of stretchers operably connected to said runner; a plurality of ribs operably connected to said stretchers and a second upper end of said first upper telescoping member; and a canopy material connected to said ribs.
 5. The hand held telescoping umbrella of claim 4, wherein said second connector part includes a clamping member.
 6. The hand held telescoping umbrella of claim 4, wherein said second telescoping member has a distal end having a handle separate from said second connector.
 7. The hand held telescoping umbrella of claim 5, wherein said clamping member includes a generally C-shape with a pair of outwardly extending lateral flanges having co-axially aligned holes to receive a threaded bolt, and a nut connected to the bolt.
 8. The hand held telescoping umbrella of claim 6, which further includes a backpack, having a belt with a holder for said handle and shoulder strap with holder for said first telescoping member. 